twitch.tv/falconepunch55 - Daily Live stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbRD6XLyLCM Video of me playing some games with the deck at Legend
Boy do I have a treat for you today!
I've had a lot of failure this month if I'm honest. I have spent hours, to my shame, laddering with combo druid and secret paladin, and never managing to maintain a winrate I was happy with. My viewers and friends are always telling me to tryhard with proper decks, but I think I have too low an attention span.
Whatever it is, I have the need to create and innervate. For that reason I've tried almost every possible deck that LoE has thrown at me. Tried Reno with almost every class, but haven't made anything that I've considered really amazing.
Until now.
I had the urge to create a Reno Lock but try to make it as unique as possible, I wanted something that would really stand out from the crowd and really work. I decided to put Dreadsteed into the deck. Long story short, I decided to remove Reno from the deck and BAM we have DreadLock, which is actually... Really freaking good in the meta.
Lets talk about what the Meta is at the moment:
Reno Lock/Zoo, Face Shaman, Secret Paladin, Combo Druid, Control/Patron Warrior, Control Priest, Tempo and Freeze Mage and SOME huntards.
This deck beats all of the above decks pretty consistently EXCEPT for Combo Druid and Hunter (according to my stats) but hey, Hunters are all but extinct (finally) and Combo Druid is still winnable, just slightly trickier. (It's so difficult to constantly clear the board and play around a potential 22 damage double combo.)
I'm gonna just leave this guide here for now, and go off and make a video. I'm gonna do the shameless sellout thing and leave some like goals here. Just because I want to get this out to as many people as possible, and that's the best way to do it!
Play the deck, enjoy the deck, let me know what you think! Feel free to ask any questions here, or check out my stream at twitch.tv/falconepunch55! I will be playing this deck for as long as it works!
Card choices and why:
2x
Sacrificial Pact: Wow. This card is awful in almost every deck ever. But not this one! It's main use is to duplicate Dreadsteeds. You need to do this as soon as Baron Rivendare is played. One dream scenario is turn 8: Dreadsteed Rivendare -> Sacricial Pact -> Sacrificial Pact. Though that is a little slow. DON'T FORGET- Sacrificial pact CAN be used on your opponents Demons! This card makes the the Warlock Matchup so good (and often unfair). And... The real dream... Sacrificial pact on your opponents jaraxxus. Then you just win the game immediately. This can be achieved quite often against Reno Lock... And... Also against Priest... Think about it.
1x
Mortal Coil: All of the 1 drops are very good in this deck, so I found it quite difficult to work out how to distribute them. That's why I ended up with 1 coil, 1 PO and one Abusive. Coil is even more versatile in this deck than it is in most other Warlock decks, as you can use it on your own dreadsteeds (and at times it can be used to duplicate them). Also a free card draw never hurt anyone, not even a warlock.
1x
Power Overwhelming: Obviously this card is amazing for value trades, and even more so with Dreadsteeds. Need to kill a Thaurassan? Need to kill a Doctor Boom? Power Overwhelming is often your key to do so. You COULD remove one abusive Sergeant and replace it with a second Power Overhwelming, but i believe that the trade off (abusive buffs two less attack, but can buff opponents minions for BGH) makes one of each worth it.
1xImp-losion 1x
Darkbomb: Because sometimes your board is completely full of dreadsteeds, there are situations where implosion has really bad synergy. There's also nothing more frustrating than implosions rolling for 2. Darkbomb is more consistent and cheaper! Good for early game removal, and also extra reach.
2x Unstable Ghoul 2x Zombie Chow 2x
Dark Peddler: Ghoul was better for anti aggro (especially anti Paladin) but the amount of possibilities that peddler gives you, allowing you to choose which is the best option based on class you're against makes this the best decision at the moment.
2x
Imp Gang Boss: Yeah this card is some of the best tempo in the game, important for stopping your opponent from overwhelming you at the start of the game.
2x
Hellfire: In general I prefer shadowflame, but I think Hellfire suits this deck better. Due to only 1 PO and no Sylvanus, I believe that Shadowflame isn't guaranteed enough Value. 2x Hellfire is perfect to clear an early tempo board, and allowing you to stabilize.
2x
Dreadsteed: Sometimes a win condition, but it has to be played carefully. Obviously you need to be careful around silence. Against different decks you play this at different times. It's not a tempo play- you're usually much happier getting it out of a voidcaller, and you really want to bait out at least one silence first. Really it's very difficult to explain every single little detail about playing this card- it's better to learn with experience or by watching. But I think you get the main idea. 5 is the dream number- if you can manipulate it perfectly, that's how many steeds you want so that you still have space on the board for other minions, but you have 5 damage on the board every turn to kill something for free.
2x
Voidcaller: The only value way of summoning dreadsteed. Also, it's pretty nice to surprise your opponent with an early mal'ganis, or punishing an aggro by forcing Jaraxxus to hit the board and then taunting it up.
1x
Siphon Soul: Great removal, good for healing, not too much else to say about this.
1x
Twisting Nether: This is a win condition against Priest or any other control type deck. The dream scenario is that you can play this AFTER filling the board with dreadsteeds. The ability to completely clear the board, and then still have almost a full board of 1/1s after can be pretty brutal for anyone to come back from.
1x
Lord Jaraxxus: You want it on the board against aggro to taunt it up, and you want to play it as your hero in the late game against control to secure the win. Don't play it as your hero until you're completely stable and sure your opponent has no burst damage. This card is VERY SPECIFICALLY your win condition against Priest.
1x
Mal'Ganis: Play this with 5 Dreadsteeds on the board for 15 burst damage. Don't waste Mal'ganis. It is VERY powerful in this deck, but don't play it on turn 9 if it's just going to die straight away.
1x
Abusive Sergeant: slightly weaker PO with board presence. Try not to waste this card, it can also be very good for buffing your oponents minion into BGH range.
1x
Ironbeak Owl: Everyone loves a silence! Very handy if your oponent plays something annoying like Sylvanus, or if they somehow steal a dreadsteed.
2:
Big Game Hunter: Good tempo against Aggro, great for dealing with a doctor boom or any other big threat.
1x
Baron Rivendare: THE MOST IMPORTANT CARD NOT TO WASTE. you can usually ONLY play this if you're able to duplicate Dreadsteeds immediately. alternatively, this can be taunted with Argus to protect you from aggro. (I have won games against Shaman by doing this)
2x
Defender of Argus: Great for buffing dreadsteeds, great for destroying Aggro. These plus 2 sludge belchers and 2 healbots do make this deck really hard to beat as aggro once it has stabilized.
1x
Refreshment Vender: Actually a pretty good tempo drop on turn 4, the healing is sometimes vital too. I think this is much better than earthen ring farseer.
1x
Antque healbot: Your main objective with this deck is to outlast your opponents deck. Healbot is one of the key cards that allows you to do that.
1x
Sludge Belcher: Your main objective with this deck is to outlast your opponents deck. Sludge Belcher is one of the key cards that allows you to do that.
Matchups
Control Warrior: Strangely enough, winning this is just about making sure that they don't get too much Tempo. The earlier you can get a board of Dreadsteeds down, the better. This deck can destroy you with Loatheb intl Sylv into Boom into Rag into Alex. As long as you have the means to prevent the Warrior's massive drops from steamrolling you, you'll be fine. Mulligan for Imp Gang boss, Dark Peddler, dreadsteed, voidcaller and Hellfire
Patron Warrior: Tempo Frothing can destroy you. Grommash and Boom can pose as problems, but as long as you draw into Hellfires and twisting nethers, grim patrons aren't a problem. Against Warrior: Mulligan for Imp Gang boss, Dark Peddler, dreadsteed, voidcaller and Hellfire
Druid: This is a tough matchup, simply because combo can kill you, and this deck isn't perfect and making sure the board is clear every turn. Belcher's are key, healbots and argus are also important. If you can get the dreadsteeds out early, that can help, but they are not vital for beating a combo druid. You just need to out last them and have a better board than them. Mulligan for Dark Bomb (If you're expecting Aspirant) but also dark peddler and imp gang boss.
Shaman: Really not a bad matchup at all, but you need to draw some heals. If you can drop down Barren Riverdare early and taunt it, do it. that's 8 extra damage that the shaman has to deal, and that can be enough to save you. feel free to sact pact imps spawned from imp gang boss, or dreadsteed. Mulligan for a Sacrificial pact, a defender of Argus, and also dark bomb, dark peddler and imp gang boss.
Freeze Mage: Not impossible, just save your healing for when you really need it. Control the board and drop dreadsteeds as soon as possible, as that reduces the value of your opponents board clears. Avoid playing Jaraxxus unless you absolutely need to heal. Mulligan for Imp Gang boss, Dark Peddler, Dreadsteed and Mortal coil.
Tempo Mage: Tricky matchup, but cards like peddler and imp gang boss can really help you secure the early game. The sooner you can fill the board with dreadsteeds the better, and as mages don't tend to run a silence, you're safe to drop the dreadsteed as soon as possible. Against Mage Mulligan for Imp Gang boss, Dark Peddler, Dreadsteed and Mortal coil.
Secret Paladin: If you can control the board early, this matchup is easy. Siphon soul and big game hunter are fantastic at dealing with Dr6 and Dr7. You have a silence for Tirion. An early imp gang boss can completely shut down an early knife juggle/ muster strategy and the dreadsteeds themselves are REALLY strong here. Get them down asap. Against Paladin Mulligan for: Dark Peddlar, Imp Gang boss, Dark Bomb, Mortal Coil and Hellfire.
Midrange/ Control Paladin: Also a pretty simple matchup. Dreadsteeds are great at annihilating paladin. It is important that you get the early tempo from imp gang boss though. That's more vital in this matchup than any other. Against Paladin Mulligan for: Dark Peddlar, Imp Gang boss, Dark Bomb, Mortal Coil and Hellfire.
Priest: DO NOT play dreadsteed until you can duplicate them straight away. The Priest could just Cabel/ entomb a dreadsteed and you will be sad. If you can get a board of dreadsteeds out against Priest, then you're good to go. But it can be hard. OTHERWISE just control the board and win with Jaraxxus. Priest is always winnable. If you accidentally pull jaraxxus from a deathlord or a voidcaller, just hope the Priest entombs it so you can Sac Pact it later down the line (it does happen, believe me.) Against Priest Mullican for Dark Peddler, Imp Gang boss,
Hunter: This is a tough one. You need the healing and taunts as soon as possible. Face Hunter can be just too fast and brutal, but midrange is significantly easier. Against Midrange you can usually just about control the board and heal enough to survive. Against face you will find that even if you win, you're hanging by a thread almost all of the way through. Against Hunter, mulligan for: Mortal Coil Dark Peddler, Imp Gang boss, Hellfire and Ironbeak Owl.
Zoo: A good matchup with all of the heals and taunts it's usually doable to just out last your opponent. Feel free to use sacrificial pact on your opponents imp gang boss if it's too hard to deal with in the early game, but you'd prefer to save it for a doomguard or Mal'ganis. Hellfire can be an AMAZING board clear against zoo. Against warlock, Mulligan for: Dark Peddlar, Imp Gang boss, dark bomb and hellfire
Reno Lock: By far the easiest matchup. Duplicate those dreadsteeds as soon as possible if you can, and just hang on. As long as you last long enough in the game, your opponent will eventually play jaraxxus and you can just kill him with Sac Pact. The only real threat is the combo, so you have to ensure that you remain above 20 health on board once thaurrasan has been played.
30 Likes: Card choices and why!
50 likes: Video of my playing the deck Click here to watch!
150 likes: Hour free coaching for random person who has commented on the guide!
Some great gameplay footage that people have left as comments on the guide!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMx9huohgh8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klqkDNrhmn4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCqe0-Hp658
No Knife Juggler or Anima Golem?
Kel'thusad could work I think
I know that Mal'Ganis is irreplaceable for this deck to succeed, but what are the odds of me winning if I use Stormwind Champion just until I save up the dust?
Awesome deck- started playing this exact decklist and I've lost maybe 2 of 12 games
I Don't have Jaraxxus or Mal'ganiz,how significantly does that hurt the deck? And what might I put in instead of those?
You need those cards.
What do u think about Anima Golem in Co of Dreadsteed??
I have a positive Gameplay with this.
How viable is this deck for ladder atm? Currently at 12, while facing mostly ramp druid, tempo mage.
I see lots of great comments, so I might try it out. Have to craft jarraxus and malganis tho. That is why I'm asking! :-)
Thanks for the great video and guide as well!
I'm struck at rank 10. Smooth sailing up until now. Otherwise very amazing deck!
super fun deck
the only time I did not have fun was the 5 face hunters in a row but other then that it was a blast.
What do you say about adding brann to deck ? , Is there even any card possible of giving up on?
This deck is a lot of fun. I took out both Voidcallers and the Refreshment Vendor and added Twilight Drake, Sen'Jin and Kel'Thuzad. I find the consistency is better - you have another big minion which provides a brilliant way to multiply Dreadsteeds while also respawning an imp or two to keep board spaces clear of Dreadsteeds. The Drake is great for board presence and the Sen'jin stalls aggro decks nicely. With this you should be able to control the game long enough to play Mal'Ganis for a money finish.
Nice deck man. Laddering up and testing it now. Lots of fun. Giving face hunters fits.
I really wanted to try a Dreadsteed deck. Sadly, I only have one of 'em and also lack Lord Jaraxxus and Mal'Ganis.
Is it hopeless? Or are there any replacements to make it at least "sort-of work"?
well i mean without mal ganis you are gonna lose a lot simply because you only have a board of 1/1s
Very fun deck to play with ! I still need some practice but is going great (and fun !)
Who won the hour of free coaching? Or is it still open? )
Awesome base idea for a deck. Swapped out both Voidcallers, the Mortal Coil, 1 Healbot, and the Refreshment Vendor and added another Power Overwhelming, a Demonheart, a Bane of Doom, and 2 Demonfire. 6-1 so far against a couple strong Control Warriors. Only loss was to a Tempo Mage and it was on an RNG Arcane Missile win..
I added Deathwing.Kinda suprises people from time to time.
I've run into this awkward situation many times. One notable example was against a Priest against whom I had 5 Dreadsteeds, Baron Rivendare, and some other weak minion. I had full control of the board, but I was low on health and I couldn't play any other minion. Even if I had Jaraxxus in my hand (which I didn't), I wouldn't be able to play him.
But I did have Twisting Nether, and I was considering playing that just to get rid of Baron Boy.
It's a challenge to work around, for sure. Once you use Baron to generate more Dreadsteeds, you REALLY need to kill him off or silence him ASAP. That is, if your opponent doesn't do that for you. Most will, at least in lower ladder, but the more skilled opponents could take advantage of this limitation and keep Baron alive as much as possible.